Page 47 of Oath of Revenge

She spun the empty vial in her palm. Anti-pregnancy potions tasted like shit, but she would be safe for another month. Hopefully she’d be long separated from him by then.

She pointed to his feet to distract him. “What about shoes? Do you wear shoes? It’s freezing outside. Do Growlers get frostbite in this form?”

He shrugged and ran his hands down his stomach, drawing the shirt tight over his abs. Moving from foot to foot, he frowned at himself and wiggled his toes.

“When it’s cold, we stick close to the warmth of camp. Unless we’re hunting, which we do as a Growler. The cold does hurt us more like this, so shoes are probably a good idea.”

She waved to the front door where a basket of shoes sat under the coat rack. “You’re free to try Knox’s boots, but they might not fit.”

He walked away. Just a few more days, and they’d break the spell of the tea. By then, she’d know if the Growlers could turn her back to normal.

She reached up to feel her shorter horns, thankful for the changes already. But it was a reminder of what she had to fix for everyone else. They were counting on her.

Thank the gods she wouldn’t have to solve the problem with a babe too.

What would a baby between them even look like? Would it have antlers? Or be fully one animal shifter over another? She’d heard of other animal shifters living in their own communities in Glathen, but hadn’t ever seen a bunny or deer community.

She was the only one. Still a freak of nature, an abomination to be avoided.

Unless she had a baby. She stared at the vial, thankful but somehow sad at the same time.

Wulfric put his hands on her shoulders, and she jumped up, spinning to face him with her hand held out. “Don’t touch me.”

He frowned, and she felt a stab of pain to see the wounded look in his eyes. It was partly guilt over hurting him, but somehow she knew it was what he was feeling.

He held his hands out. “I can see how worried you are, but I will protect you from the pack. Growlers are vicious, but they’re not all bad.”

She breathed deeply, refusing to tell him she hadn’t actually been worrying about the Growlers.

Instead, she grabbed the heavy bag of supplies and glared. “You can’t even protect yourself. How are you going to protect me?”

“You’re my mate. They’ll respect the mate bond,” he said, crossing his arms.

He was so tall and intimidating. With his rugged good looks and rippling muscles under that thin layer of fur, she couldn’t think of anything he couldn’t handle. He was full of life, strong and virile. He could probably take on the entire army of Busparia by himself and still live.

She shook her head and reached for the dried fruit on a shelf. Her dad had been like that too, larger than life, wise and strong. But he’d still been killed.

She had to prepare for every possibility. She met his golden eyes.

“I’m putting a lot of trust in you, Growler. If I die on this foolish mission, you better believe I’m going to haunt you and make your life miserable.”

He laughed and nodded, the sound making her core melt and some of the tension in her shoulders ease. She scowled and turned away, adding the fruit to the bag of supplies.

He sat on the chair she’d vacated and laced up the boots as he talked. “I’ll keep that in mind, but we’re both going to be alright. I’ve just found you, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you now.”

Her heart stuttered and her breath caught in her throat. The look in his eyes, the set of his jaw–he was completely sincere.

She didn’t trust it. These kinds of feelings just ended up hurting people. She’d watched it over and over through the years as a Hunter. Death came easily and ripped families apart. She wasn’t always proud of her role in that, but there was no changing it.

She tossed her bag on the table and strode to the stairs. “Let me get a set of spare clothes, then we can head out.”

Her steps were heavy on the stairs, but she didn’t care. She was pushing him away, keeping him out, but it was better to do that first, before he realized this wouldn’t work. Her life wasn’t with him or the Growlers.

She had things to do for Knox, a village to heal, and a queen to kill. She didn’t have time for a mate or love.

She came back downstairs and tossed him the leather pouch of clothes. He caught it easily and peeked inside. “If you wolf out and rip the clothes you’re wearing, at least you’ll have extra. No sense in freezing on the journey.”

He nodded, rubbing his chin. “Thanks, I’ll carry the heavier bag.”

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